Fiberglass Cast Cutting Tools That Do Not Cut Your Skin

Broken bones are typically immoblized with a cast for four to six weeks.

Casts provide immobilization for injured body parts. They are applied and removed by a health care professional. Casts are composed of plaster or fiberglass. Plaster is less expensive and is used when a tighter fit is needed to properly immobilize the bone. Fiberglass is lighter and more "breathable," and is used more commonly than plaster.

Cast Soaking

Soaking a fiberglass cast in water for a prolonged period of time will cause it to soften. As it softens, the fiberglass can be unraveled and eventually removed by unrolling the layers. This is the only way to ensure the skin is not cut during the removal process, however it is messy and requires a lot of time.

Cast Saws

Fiberglass casts are usually removed with a cast saw. This type of saw has a circular blade that vibrates rather than rotating in a circular motion. This design reduces the chance that the skin will be penetrated during cast removal. However, if the health care provider applies too much pressure on the cast and the skin is contacted, a friction burn can occur.

Casting Shears

Casts can be removed using special casting shears. These shears have a curved tip which keeps the pointed edge of the shears away from the patient's skin as the cast is being cut. As with any sharp tool, if the shears are used incorrectly or slip during the process, the patient is at risk for injury. Cast shears may be difficult to use as they require a certain amount of grip strength to successfully cut through the fiberglass.

Metal File

A metal file is sometimes recommended to smooth rough edges on a fiberglass cast that might be causing skin irritation. Although a metal file could be used to remove a cast, this is not considered to be safe or efficient tool for this purpose.

References

• University of Illinois McKinley Health Center: Cast/Splint Care
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Care of Casts and Splints